What is the bore size of Chiappa Spencer?

[commando223]

What should cast bullets be sized to?

Sorry forgot to mention it's 56-50 caliber.

[El Supremo]

Hello:

May I respectfully suggest that you wait for more answers to appear here because:

Shared information on bore dimensions, although supposedly to a listed dimension, VARY both due to how well they are taken and how well the person can measure.  

Also, with Armisport reproductions, there have been slightly different dimensions over time.  

If you know how to "slug" a bore at the breech just ahead of the chamber, then the major outer diameter of that soft lead slug should be the GROOVE diameter.  Usually that figure plus .002" should be the SIZED bullet diameter.  

Molds cast bullets to different dimensions depending upon the alloy composition and sizing dies of a SPECIFIC dimension will size to slightly different diameters based upon the hardness of the alloy.  

Try researching the postings from "Fox Creek Kid" for starters.  He "put the shoot" into his 56-50 Armisport Spencer.
My partial notes from his postings dating back to 2005 indiate that he liked the 56-50 Rapine 350-T bullet with a deeper grease groove.  

If all this is too much work, and based upon my ARMISPORT notes, I suggest that you start with a hard bullet sized to .516" in Starline cases.  Use ONLY CH4D 56-50 dies and CALL them about which dies match the Armisport.

All the best,

El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Good Troy]

There are at least two calibers available.  I am aware of .45 Colt and 56-60 chamberings.  About which caliber are you inquiring?  

[commando223]

Sorry it's 56-50 I edited the post now.

[Trailrider]

Is your Spencer an original or replica? I cannot vouch for original .56-50 Spencers, but the original .56-56 carbines I have checked actually had tapered rifling! Just forward of the chamber, the groove diameter was .545", while at the muzzle, the groove diameter was .535"! What I wound up doing was to obtain a Lyman .533476AX Hollow Base mould (no longer manufactured), which was sized .535". Bullets were cast of 1-10 tin-lead. They worked pretty well, even using smokeless powder.  Chances are a modern-made .56-50 will have a .515" groove diameter, but it is always best to check.
Best of luck and Happy Holidays!

[El Supremo]

The title of the original posted question indicates that he is inquiring about an Armisport Spencer.  Tx.

El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Good Troy]

I have a late production Chiappa Spencer carbine in 56-50.  I took a chance and purchased bullets before I received the gun.  Fortunately, the bullets worked fine.  The bullets are 0.512" 350 gr purchased from Buffalo Arms.  Here's a link to them...

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=157726&CAT=4137

It is a better practice to do as El Supremo spelled out and slug the bore and add a couple of thousandths for the bullet diameter.  I've used a .454 round ball to slug up to a .460 bore.  I'm not sure if you can flatten it enough to get it to slug the 56-50, but, you may could use a 50 caliber or greater round ball on the bigger bore.

[commando223]

Well I slugged my Bore and the lead slug came out to .512 but the bullets I cast using the RCBS mould are also .512 so not sure if thats going to be a problem.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Give it a try.   That might be just right .

CC Griff